Þjóðveldisbærinn
A reconstructed longhouse from the Commonwealth Period in Þjórsárdalur, built after the ruins at Stöng, with a prayer house and an exhibition on everyday life.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Þjóðveldisbærinn in Þjórsárdalur is a conjectural building erected to mark the 1100th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland in 1974 and opened in 1977. It is modelled on the hall at Stöng, a major farm that was buried under pumice in the Hekla eruption of 1104. Since the ruins did not answer all questions, old Icelandic woodworking, building remains from Greenland, descriptions in the sagas and the construction of Norwegian stave churches were all drawn upon.
The hall is built to the ground plan of the ruins at Stöng, with platforms, benches, side rooms, floor slabs, a hearth, doors and large storage vessels sunk into the floor.
Beside the farm stands a medieval prayer house, rebuilt after a small church ruin from the 11th century that was excavated at Stöng in 1986, 1992 and 1993. It was first shown in the National Museum of Iceland in 1997, moved to Þjórsárdalur in 2000 to mark the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Iceland, and erected beside the farm. Visitors can walk into the prayer house.
Highlights
- A reconstructed hall based on the ruins at Stöng
- A medieval prayer house, rebuilt after an 11th-century church ruin
- Visitors can wear medieval clothing and weave on a warp-weighted loom
- Games from the Commonwealth Period in the hall
- Viking-style sword fighting outdoors
Permanent exhibitions
- Þjóðveldisbærinn – A reconstructed hall based on the ruins at Stöng, where visitors learn about daily life in the Commonwealth Period.
- Bænhúsið – A reconstructed medieval prayer house, built after a church ruin found at Stöng. Visitors may go inside.
- Founded
- 1977
Admission & discounts
| Adults | ISK 2,500 |
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| Children & teens | ISK 500free up to age 5 · Children aged 6–12 pay ISK 500; children under 6 enter free. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
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- Hands-on stations
Visitors can wear medieval clothing, play Commonwealth Period games in the hall, weave on a warp-weighted loom and practise Viking-style sword fighting outdoors.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
A short walk leads from the car park up to the farm.
The farm stands in Þjórsárdalur. Nearby are Hjálparfoss, Búrfellsskógur and Háafoss, and a walking route leads to the ruins of the farm at Stöng.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Permission for photography, commercial filming and weddings on site must be requested by email at info@thjodveldisbaer.is. |
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